Your Letter of the 13 came to hand this morning—1 The Intermissions between the Interruptions I have since had, have be ^en^ so short, that I could not bestow much consideration on some of the Matters stated in it, and which demand mature and deliberate Reflection.

After having examined certain papers relative to the Land which Marvin desires to purchase, I will write to you on the subject— I cannot do it to day.

It is very proper that both you and Maria should visit our friends at Rye— you have been too long absent from there.

The Calculation and nature of the Bets you mention, cannot easily be accounted for— If they really believe they have succeeded, its an artifice to make money—2

The young men might have managed better—but they will learn— perhaps a standing Committee composed of members judiciously selected from the different classes of Citizens, would if proposed and agreed upon, afford an opportunity of so extending the circle as to comprehend those who remain out— If such an Idea should be adopted, some soothing and preparatory measures will doubtless be expedient. no act should be equivalent to an Enlistmt. and unless the address really bears that Construction, an explanatory Resolution by the standing committee, expressing the Sense in which they understand it, would probably remove that objection.

no becoming and proper means should be omitted to satisfy convince and attract the mechanics &c— of whom are armies composed?

To assemble for the purpose of military discipline, will ^not only^ in that view be useful—but also in others, if the privates attend— They may then be taught other Things besides the manual Exercises, & to see things as they really are—

For military men, in that capacity, to approve or censure the measures of Govt. by acts of their Body assembled to deliberate on those subjects, cannot in my opinion be proper—3

I am as yet at a Loss how to advise respecting the Cockades— perhaps for the present it might not be amiss for the military to adopt them—and for the standing committee of the young men to recommend them to the members of their Society, but not until measures have been taken to render it as comprehensive as possible— I give these Remarks as hints not as opinions— under present circumstances perhaps the elderly and meer mohair Citizens should not be pressed to wear cockades by mohair citizens I mean those who are not included within any military description—4 They who from honest motives are in the Act of passing, or preparing to pass, from one party to another have more than ordinary sensibility and are not to be roughly handled—5

I am a little sollicitous to see the address of our young Citizens — The next Ph[iladelphi]a. Papers will probably contain it—6

The Citizens of this place assembled yesterday and tho both parties attended, there was no opposition to the Resolutions proposed & carried7

We are all well— I wrote to you by the last post—and your mama wrote to maria by the Lt. Govr.8 I am Dr. Peter your affte. Father